contacto
/kon-TAK-toh/
contact
The noun contacto means contact, connection, or touch. This image shows two hands making contact.
contacto(Noun)
contact
?General term for connection, communication, or a person you know.
touch
?When talking about physical touching.
,connection
?Often used for electrical circuits.
📝 In Action
Tengo un buen contacto en la empresa que te puede ayudar.
B1I have a good contact at the company who can help you.
Hemos perdido el contacto con los años.
A2We've lost contact over the years.
Evita el contacto directo del sol con tu piel.
B1Avoid direct contact of the sun with your skin.
El enchufe no hace buen contacto, por eso la lámpara no funciona.
B2The plug isn't making a good connection, that's why the lamp doesn't work.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-o', it's good to remember that 'contacto' is always a masculine noun. So, you'll always say 'el contacto' or 'un contacto'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'contacto' as a Verb
Mistake: "Quiero contacto contigo mañana."
Correction: Quiero ponerme en contacto contigo mañana. The noun 'contacto' needs a verb like 'ponerse en' (to put oneself in) or 'tener' (to have) to show action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Getting in Touch
The phrase 'ponerse en contacto con alguien' is the most natural and common way to say 'to get in touch with someone'. It's a great phrase to memorize.
Contacto is the 'yo' (I) form of the verb contactar, meaning 'I contact' or 'I get in touch with'.
📝 In Action
Si tengo alguna duda, yo contacto directamente con el servicio técnico.
B1If I have any questions, I contact technical support directly.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' for People
When you contact a specific person, Spanish often adds a little word 'a' right before their name. For example, 'Contacto a María' (I contact María). This is called the 'personal a' and it's very common.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'con' instead of 'a'
Mistake: "Yo contacto con mi jefe cada día."
Correction: Yo contacto a mi jefe cada día. While 'contactar con' is sometimes heard, it's more standard and clearer to use 'contactar a' when the one you're contacting is a person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Verb vs. Noun Phrase
Using the verb 'contactar' can sound a bit more direct or formal than the phrase 'ponerse en contacto'. For a friendly email, 'Quería ponerme en contacto contigo' sounds softer than 'Te contacto para...'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contacto
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I need to get in touch with my lawyer'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'contacto a' and 'contacto con'?
Great question! When you are contacting a person, it's most common to use 'contactar a alguien' (e.g., 'Contacto a mi hermana'). Using 'contactar con' is also heard, but it's often used more for things or groups, like 'contactar con el departamento de ventas' (to contact the sales department). To be safe and sound natural, use 'contactar a' for people.
Can I use 'contacto' to mean 'a contact' in my phone?
Yes, absolutely! Just like in English, you can say 'Voy a añadirte a mis contactos' which means 'I'm going to add you to my contacts'.